The Inspiring Architecture of Tadao Ando’s MPavilion 10
Located in Queen Victoria Gardens, MPavilion 10 exemplifies Tadao Ando’s commitment to designing a structure in direct response to its surroundings.
Now extended until March 2025 – Tadao Ando’s MPavilion 10 is an iconic example of his ability to merge geometric form with nature, creating spaces that evoke both memory and collective experience. His design process begins with an interpretation of place that transcends personal emotion and speaks to a social dimension, which is why his architecture resonates so deeply across the world.
Located in Queen Victoria Gardens, MPavilion 10 exemplifies Ando’s commitment to designing a structure in direct response to its surroundings. His design is founded on geometric purity, using circles and squares to create a seamless integration with nature.
The large canopy, a 14.4-metre aluminium-clad disc resting on a central column, serves as a striking focal point. Its offset squares lead visitors toward two distinct entrances, while concrete walls of varying lengths partially enclose the space, evoking the tranquillity of a Japanese walled garden. As Ando describes it, this is “a space to reflect, interact and appreciate that which is contained within—be it nature, art or people.”
What truly excites us about this design is the thoughtful use of light and space. Ando’s signature approach to light allows the pavilion to evolve throughout the day and across seasons.
The interplay of light and shadow, alongside the reflecting pool that mirrors the canopy and city skyline, creates a dynamic atmosphere where the surrounding environment constantly informs the space. This sensitivity to the changing light is something we value at Modscape, where natural light is integral to our designs, enhancing both the aesthetic and functional experience of the spaces we create.
“I imagined an architecture of emptiness that lets light and breeze enter and breathe life into it. A place that resonates with the environment, becomes one with the garden and blossoms with infinite creativity.”
Tadao Ando
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